My computer genius adds this about how citywide Wi-Fi in Minneapolis will work:

It could be beneficial if there were a way to let multiple companies make use of it instead of one.  If many companies could offer you access and services on it, you'd have some competition and choices.  Tossing it to just one vendor means you're getting nothing more than your home internet provider gives you.  Like right now you can't change from Mediacom to Comcast.  You can go to DSL which helps keep prices down a bit or else we'd all be paying through the nose.  But say they pick one vendor and push it out all over the city.  Odds go down that a local coffee shop will give free internet since they know most people are paying for the